‘IMPORTANT VICTORY FOR DOGS SEIZED IN POLICE AMNESTY’

The Kennel Club has welcomed the decision reached by a presiding judge at Merseyside Magistrates Court to allow a further thirteen Pit Bull Terrier ‘type’ dogs, which were seized as part of the recent Merseyside Police ‘amnesty’, to be returned to their owners. The verdict echoes a previous decision in February, which saw the release of fifteen dogs also seized under the amnesty.

The dogs and their owners were expertly defended by solicitor Trevor Cooper, well known for his knowledge in such cases. Having listened to the prosecution evidence, the presiding District Judge concluded that although they were aware that an uncontrolled Pit Bull can cause harm, they were satisfied that the owners of these dogs were all responsible and could not be categorised. The judge added that the Index of Exempted Dogs would be opened for these dogs to be registered on it, provided that the requirements of registration were met, such as neutering, microchipping, muzzling and that the dogs were kept on a lead in public.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary, said, “This is another important victory both for the dogs involved and in proving that breed specific legislation does not work. The amnesty did nothing to address the primary issues of irresponsible dog ownership and ‘dealing with the deed, not the breed’ as it only affected responsible owners and their much loved pet dogs, who have been persecuted simply for how they look.

“The Kennel Club believes that it is the temperament and behaviour of the dog which should be examined, and assessment should not be based on the dogs appearance. We will be lobbying the Government to open up the register and will continue our work on the flawed Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 to make owners more liable for the actions of their dogs.”

Posted with kind permission of The Kennel club
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.thekennelclub.org.uk